July 22, 2008
England
England
A company behind plans to build wind turbines in the Rotherham countryside has denied claims they could be as tall as Blackpool Tower.
Scores of people have objected to a bid by Chesterfield-based Banks Developments to set up a wind farm at Penny Hill, between Ulley and Thurcroft.
Objectors say the wind farm would be an eyesore too close to people’s homes and too close to the M1 causing a safety hazard.
They have set up an action group to campaign against the plans.
The developers, who have yet to submit a planning application, today said claims the turbines would be as tall as Blackpool Tower were wrong.
Rob Williams, renewables projects director at Banks, said: “The notion that any wind turbines would be as tall as the 158m-high Blackpool Tower is not accurate, and current indications are that turbines with hub heights of around 80 metres will be proposed.
“The public consultation process that we are undertaking is designed to give members of the local community the opportunity to express their opinions around our proposals for Penny Hill, and we will do everything we can to examine and address the issues raised.”
He added public exhibitions in Aston, Ulley and Thurcroft had attracted positive and negative feedback about the plans.
“We are taking this into account as we draw up more detailed plans, which will be exhibited in the autumn in advance of their submission,” he added.
Objector Jeff Blades, of Aughton Lane, Aston, said: “We want to keep our countryside and the wildlife – we don’t want great big industrial windfarms created, we think it’s wrong. I have seen them out in the sea which is an ideal spot for them and there’s plenty of wind for them to operate. People often complain about something after it has happened, but we are going to make it clear we are dead against this from the beginning.”
Another resident Graham Hinchcliffe said: “They are absolutely colossal in size. They would be right next to the motorway and there has been proof wind turbines can cast a shadows across large areas.
“There are eight lanes of traffic there with around 60,000 cars each day so this could cause major problems.”
By Ray Parkin
22 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/22/blackpool-tower-size-wind-turbines-denied/